Putting your beloved home on the market can be somewhat stressful. It’s difficult to know what potential buyers are looking for as they search for their next home. Before you put your home up for sale, consider these preparation tips to start the process on the right foot.

Remove clutter

While it may sound obvious, this is a simple and important step: Pick up around the house. The flat surfaces in your home should be as clear as possible. Put away little knickknacks, kitchen appliances that go unused and décor that stands out. Bedroom closets tend to gather clutter and excess clothing; be sure you have a solid organization system in place. The more empty space you have in your closet, the bigger it will look to potential buyers.

Prepare for nosy buyers

There’s no doubt about it: Potential buyers will open cabinets and drawers as they peruse your home. Do they need to see what’s inside your dresser? No, but many will look anyway. Make sure to clean not only the surface of your home, but also the inside of your fridge, cabinets and drawers.

De-personalize

Even though they may peek into your personal belongings, buyers don’t want to feel like they’re walking through someone else’s house. They are on the hunt for their own home, so they are trying to imagine themselves under that same roof. Remove personal belongings such as family photos and personalized memorabilia. Your house should feel generic, as if anyone could be living there.

Deep clean

Another obvious step: Deep clean your home. Every little nook and cranny in your home should be free of dirt, dust and grime. You could have showings at any time, so be sure you are wiping down the counters, mopping the floors, vacuuming the carpet and dusting on a more-than-regular basis. HGTV recommends hiring professional window washers, too. Not only will washing your windows add that extra touch of cleanliness to your home, but it will also allow more natural light into each room.

Update paint

It may not be necessary to repaint your entire home. However, it’s worth giving each room a once-over to see if any areas need to be touched up. Sometimes smaller scuffs and marks can be removed with touch-up paint or a stain-removing sponge. Check the door and window frames around your house as well, just in case they are showing signs of wear and tear.

Lighten up

Any photographer or home stager will tell you that lighting is everything. Even with the most beautiful home on the market, the wrong lighting can make a house feel dreary and unappealing. Be sure to replace the burnt out light bulbs throughout your house and open all of your curtains and blinds for a bit of natural light.

Selling your home isn’t always easy, but these are small steps you can take to make your house feel like a potential buyer’s new home.